Bears' Lack Of Depth At Tight End Already Being Tested

By Chris Emma--

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. (CBS) -- While Bears coach John Fox rolled through an increasingly long injury report Monday, an interesting name was mixed in -- Ben Bernanke

While it's likely that Fox had a slip of tongue in revealing undrafted rookie Ben Braunecker -- not Bernanke -- didn't finish practice, the Bears may have to call the former chairman of the federal reserve and see if he can play tight end. Because while the Bears went into training camp at Olivet Nazarene knowing that they were short on options at tight end, that depth wasn't supposed to be tested just days into practicing.

Zach Miller, important not only for his skill but his stature above the reserve tight ends, entered the concussion protocol on Sunday night after he "felt a little funny," as Fox stated.

Options behind Miller have come into question, with Braunecker leaving practice moments before the final whistle. Braunecker wore a walking boot on his right ankle in the afternoon.

Good news came with the return of tight end Khari Lee, who had suffered a shoulder injury on last Thursday in the opening practice and hadn't practiced in the following three days. Lee was limited in the practice Monday and still slowly working his way back to action.

"Next man up," Fox said as he does so often.

With all the injuries, the Bears were running out Tony Moeaki, Rob Housler, Greg Scruggs and Gannon Sinclair at tight end. Housler returned to the Bears on a one-year deal, and Scruggs is a former defensive tackle who has slimmed down to 277 pounds and is fighting to play tight end. Both are competing directly to serve as blocking tight ends.

Fox is fine with giving players a chance, though this is also a reality the Bears are stuck with.

During this past offseason, the Bears traded Martellus Bennett in a move that they considered addition by subtraction. However, they let go of a talented player and walked into a weak tight end group in free agency and the draft.

The Bears prioritized Jermaine Gresham, but he took less money to stay in with the Cardinals. Then they made a move for Saints tight end Josh Hill, but their offer sheet was matched by New Orleans. Arkansas standout Hunter Henry presented the best option in the draft, and he went in the second round. There weren't many other options.

Speaking Wednesday, Bears general manager Ryan Pace addressed the thin tight end position.

"To be honest with you guys, Year 2 where we're at, you're addressing a lot of needs, and sometimes, you don't hit every single one of them," Pace said. "But there's still a lot of avenues to continue to do that."

Moeaki proved to be one option during mini-camp. The Bears brought the five-year veteran in after he earned a roster spot during a tryout. Moeaki has played for four different teams with a career-best year coming as a rookie with the Chiefs in 2010 -- 47 catches and three touchdowns. He's recorded 44 catches since.

Yet, Moeaki was the best option available for the Bears. Now that training camp is underway and rosters have expanded, finding alternatives will be difficult and a great stretch.

The Bears can make tight end a priority position next offseason, when perhaps there will be better avenues to take.

For now, the Bears are stuck hoping for good health at tight end. It's not off to a good start.

Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.